Romans 8:20 Meaning and Explanation
“For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, yet not without hope.
What Does Romans 8:20 Mean?
Paul explains why creation groans. It was made subject to vanity, to frustration and futility, not by its own will but by God's appointment in a fallen world. Yet even this subjection was given in hope, with a future deliverance in view.
Creation did not bring its bondage upon itself; it shares the effects of human sin. But the One who subjected it did so with purpose, holding out hope from the very start. There is sorrow in the present condition of the world, yet it is not despair. The same God who allowed the subjection has bound it to a promise. What groans now will one day be set free, for hope was woven into the appointment itself.
Romans 8:20 in the Original Language
mataiotes (ματαιότης), 'vanity' -- emptiness, futility, the frustration of a purpose unfulfilled.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 8:20
What does Romans 8:20 mean?
Creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, yet not without hope.